die
Besatzung
What does 'die Besatzung' mean? 🤔
Die Besatzung is a feminine noun with several meanings:
- Crew / Personnel: A group of people who operate a vehicle together (like a ship 🚢, airplane ✈️, or spacecraft 🚀) or run a technical installation.
- Garrison / Troops: Military units occupying a specific area, city, or fortress, or stationed there 🛡️.
- Trim / Border / Embellishment: A decorative element, often a ribbon or lace, attached to clothing 👗 or other textiles (also called "der Besatz").
⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning!
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
Grammar Insights: die Besatzung 🧐
"Besatzung" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Besatzung |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Besatzung |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Besatzung |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Besatzung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Besatzungen |
| Genitive | der | Besatzungen |
| Dative | den | Besatzungen |
| Accusative | die | Besatzungen |
Examples for die Besatzung
- (Crew) Die Besatzung des Flugzeugs bereitete sich auf die Landung vor.
(The aircraft's crew prepared for landing.) - (Garrison) Die Stadt wurde von einer feindlichen Besatzung kontrolliert.
(The city was controlled by an enemy garrison/occupying force.) - (Trim) Das Kleid hatte eine hübsche Besatzung aus Spitze am Saum.
(The dress had a pretty lace trim on the hem.) - (Plural, Crews) Die Besatzungen der verschiedenen Schiffe trafen sich im Hafen.
(The crews of the different ships met in the harbor.)
Using 'die Besatzung' correctly 🧭
The usage of "Besatzung" heavily depends on the context:
- In the context of vehicles/transport: Here, "Besatzung" refers to the personnel responsible for operation (pilots, sailors, astronauts, etc.). It's a collective noun for the entire team.
- In a military or historical context: Here, "Besatzung" means the troops controlling an area (Besatzungsmacht - occupying power) or stationed in barracks (garrison). This can have a neutral or negative connotation (e.g., feindliche Besatzung - enemy occupation).
- In the context of fashion and textiles: Here, "Besatzung" or "Besatz" refers to a sewn-on or attached embellishment, border, or trim.
Don't confuse "Besatzung" (crew/garrison/trim) with "Besetzung" (casting for a play/film, staffing) or "Besitzung" (property, estate).
Remembering 'die Besatzung' 🧠
Article Mnemonic: Imagine DIE (the) brave woman (feminine) is the captain of DER Besatzung (feminine noun, genitive case) on a ship. Groups or collectives in German are often feminine, like die Mannschaft or die Familie.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word comes from "besetzen" (to occupy, to set, to trim). Think of something being 'set' or 'occupied':
1. A place or function is 'besetzt' (occupied/filled) by the crew.
2. A country or place is 'besetzt' (occupied) by soldiers (garrison).
3. A garment is 'besetzt' (trimmed/set) with decoration.
Synonyms & Antonyms ↔️
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- For Crew/Personnel: Mannschaft, Team, Crew, Personal, Stab
- For Garrison/Troops: Garnison, Truppen, Kontingent, Besatzungsmacht
- For Trim/Border: Besatz, Borte, Verzierung, Applikation, Garnitur, Tresse
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Counterpart to Crew/Personnel: Passagiere (passengers), Fahrgäste (passengers); Einzelperson (individual)
- Counterpart to Garrison: Zivilbevölkerung (civilian population), Einheimische (locals); Befreier (liberators)
- Counterpart to Trim: Schlichtheit (plainness), Einfachheit (simplicity) (no direct noun antonym)
🚨 Caution: Do not confuse with Besetzung (casting, staffing) or Besitzung (property, possession).
A little joke 😂
German: Fragt der Kapitän seine neue Besatzung: "Wer von euch kann gut schwimmen?" Melden sich drei Matrosen. Sagt der Kapitän: "Sehr gut, dann könnt ihr schon mal das Deck schrubben – der Rest zieht Schwimmwesten an!"
English Translation: The captain asks his new crew: "Which of you can swim well?" Three sailors raise their hands. The captain says: "Very good, then you can start scrubbing the deck – the rest put on life jackets!"
Poem about the 'Besatzung' 🚢
German:
Die Besatzung, Hand in Hand,
Steuert sicher durch das Land,
Ob zur See, ob in der Luft,
Oder wo der Feind einst ruft.
Auch am Kleid, als Schmuck so fein,
Kann 'Besatzung' Zierde sein.
English Translation:
The crew, hand in hand,
Steers safely through the land,
Whether at sea, or in the air,
Or where the enemy once calls there.
Also on a dress, as jewelry so fine,
'Besatzung' can be a decorative sign.
Riddle Time! ❓
German:
Ich bin eine Gruppe, fahre zur See,
Bin im Flugzeug, oh weh, oh weh?
Nein, ich sorge für Sicherheit und Flug.
Manchmal halt' ich ein Land im Zug
Der Geschichte besetzt, mit militärischer Macht.
Und manchmal zier' ich Kleider bei Tag und Nacht.
Wer bin ich?
English Translation:
I am a group, I travel by sea,
Am I on a plane, oh dear, oh me?
No, I ensure safety and flight.
Sometimes I keep a country in the course
Of history occupied, with military might.
And sometimes I adorn clothes day and night.
Who am I?
Lösung/Answer: die Besatzung
More about 'Besatzung' 💡
The word Besatzung derives directly from the verb besetzen. This verb also has multiple meanings, which are reflected in the meanings of the noun:
- To occupy a seat / fill a position → Mannschaft / Crew
- To occupy / control an area militarily → Garnison / Garrison
- To trim / adorn something with decoration → Verzierung / Trim
In a historical context, the term "Besatzungszone" (occupation zone), for example after World War II in Germany, is significant.
Summary: is it der, die or das Besatzung?
The word "Besatzung" is feminine, so the correct article is die Besatzung. It has several meanings: crew/personnel, garrison, or trimming/border.